Oral Contraceptives
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Oral contraceptives, otherwise known as birth control pills, are also approved to treat acne. They work by regulating male hormones in the female...

Oral contraceptives, otherwise known as birth control pills, are also approved to treat acne. They work by regulating male hormones in the female body. Less male hormones normally lead to less acne. 

Oral contraceptives contain an estrogen component (ethinyl estradiol) that is combined with progestin hormones, such as drospirenone (Yasmin® or Yaz®), norgestimate (Ortho Tri-Cyclen®) or norethindrone (Estrostep®). 

Oral contraceptives are taken once a day with a meal. Make sure to take the pill at the same time every day.

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September 18, 2008

Pros:

acne cleared compared to the topical treatments

Cons:

late periods, moodswings,small break outs and occasional cystic,weight gain

I have tried almost everything when it comes to acne: herbal, topical, over the counter, as seen on tv and while the ortho lo has helped tremendously for my acne the side effects might not be worth it and I'm even considering switching over to yasmin. I have so much trouble losing weight its unbelievable and the moodswings bizzare and erratic.
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September 13, 2008

Pros:

none

Cons:

I have taken Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo, but I don't think I ever took Othro-Tri-Cyclen regular. OTC Lo was bad!! I found it made me moody and caused me to break out!

I think the problem with OTC Lo is that the hormones are so low that it's enough to confuse your system--PLUS it's TRI-cyclen so the hormone levels are different for 3 different parts of the month in the pills, so you're not getting any regulation--it's like you're on a rollercoaster. I RECOMMEND PLAIN OLD ORTHO-CYCLEN!!! It's the one that existed way before orthro-tri & ortho-tri lo. it made my skin PERFECTLY CLEAR. It took a little while--maybe 2-3 months, but my skin was amazing on it. I stopped taking it and I wish i was back on it. I'm on Yaz now and my friend takes Yaz and said after 2 months, it got rid of her cystic acne, so I'm hoping that will happen to me too :)
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September 11, 2008

Pros:

It keeps me and my boyfriend from having babies. Very light periods, usually last 3 days.

Cons:

Cystic acne, which is ugly and socially crippling to have. Moodiness, irritability, sleepless nights, and excessive sweating.

This is the only form of birth control i have ever tried. I have never switched because i guess i didnt think the cystic acne could be from my birth control, i simply thought i was too stressed out and get blessed with terrible genes. However, after reading some of your reviews i see that im not alone. Those of you who've had cystic ance know how embarrassing it can be, ive hibernated in my dorm room for weeks at a time until they started to disappear bc its that embarrassing. Do any of you have suggestions on what type of birth control i should try besides Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo . . .because this type is obviously not working for me.
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September 8, 2008

Pros:

Boobs got bigger

Cons:

Horrible acne...

It works great for some people...for me it was the opposite....I hate it.
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September 6, 2008

Pros:

None so far

Cons:

weight gain, moodiness, depression, cystic acne

I was on ortho tri cyclene for years and then I swithched to tri sprintec and was fine. Had amazing skin for 8 years and then after a 3 month break went on Tri Sprintec and my skin is breaking out all over my chin and forehead and the pimples are cystic which I never had. I am debating if I should go off the pill or switch back to ortho tri cyclene where I had no side effects and clear skin.
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August 29, 2008

Pros:

Have not had any nausea

Cons:

Mysterious acne appearance. Could be stress from something else though.

I have been on this for just over a month. I had ridiculous spotting the first month. 2 weeks of period sucks. I seem to have some pimple issues. Is it my body regulating? The great thing is that I have not had any nausea. It has been a long search for a pill that didn't cause me to have projectile puking which is very uncool when driving your child to school.
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August 28, 2008

Pros:

i used it for my acne but i noticed it helped with my periods being on time

Cons:

it helped the acne very little but of coarse i got little bumps on my checks and forhead area for about 2 years now. Something serouis so it does take time.

Does what its suppose to do!:)
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August 28, 2008

Pros:

Completely cleared by back acne within a few weeks. Only a rare pimple occured on my face. I had tried Differin, Retin-A, Tetracyclin, nothing worked. Lighter, shorter, timeable periods. Less cramping. Prevents pregnancy.

Cons:

NONE. Some people may experience nausea during the first few months. This is normal and expected. Women who use the pill should not smoke. Smoking, especially 10 or more cigarettes a day, significantly increases the risk for blood clots & stroke.

If you have to resort to Accutane, you may as well try just using the pill first. Accutane users MUST use a form of birth control.
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August 27, 2008

Pros:

Protection from being preggers, light periods

Cons:

Acne!!!!! Still sligh cramping

I was on Ortho-Tri Lo for about four years, then I went off of it because I was always forgetting to take it. I started to break out a little more than I was before I got off the pill, but nothing terrible. When I decided to get back on the pill after 8 months of no Ortho-Tri Lo I broke out terribly!! Really bad!! Im too worried to get on another BC becasue my derm and gyno say this could take awhile to settle down. Uggg...we women need birthcontrol but sometimes these side effects that come with getting off and on it suck!
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August 25, 2008

Pros:

Loss of weight, less appetite, not as moody, light periods(3 days), bigger breasts, :-D My anemia levels are now not as high, and the best part: MY ACNE IS GONE!

Cons:

A little anxiety, some mood swings on the last 7 pills, can have PMS symptoms with the exceptions of cramps at that time. Achy breasts at the very beginning of taking this pill.

I would reccommend this pill to any woman. Its very effective in what its supposed to do. Of course with every pill you will have some sympotoms, nothing is perfect. I was on Lo-Ovral before and had massive menstrual headaches and was ALWAYS dizzy and nauseated. With Ortho Lo, I feel much much better compared to Lo Ovral.
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